Preservation in 2025: Year's highlights cover wide spectrum of projects

Architect's drawing of a new roundhouse. CB&Q turntable to be installed at Silvis shop. — A rendering of the new Railroading Heritage of Midwest America roundhouse to be built in Silvis, Ill., based on the original Rock Island building that occupied the same location. RRHMA

The list of 2025 rail preservation happenings is long. There are many organizations working on numerous fronts and making significant progress toward preserving America’s railroad heritage. The past 12 months have seen new buildings open, steam locomotives fired up, and relics discovered.

Narrowing down the list, here are 10 of the most significant 2025 rail preservation stories:

No. 10 — Pennsylvania Railroad T1 No. 5550 passes 50% completion, a final assembly site is selected

The T1 Trust, the group building a new Pennsylvania Railroad T1 4-4-4-4 duplex steam locomotive, announced the project is 53% complete. The major effort for 2025 has been fabrication of the four cylinders. The final assembly location will be a new 60-foot by 200-foot car and locomotive shop being constructed in Dennison, Ohio.

No. 9 — Rocky Mountain Railroad Club farewell

Known for its special excursions and pioneering preservation activities, the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club disbanded after 87 years. The club has been merged into the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, Colo. “This merger will formally end the work of the Rocky Club,” said Paul Hammond, museum executive director, “but our goal is to nurture the continuation of its spirit. We intend to continue this Colorado railroading institution’s extraordinary work and celebrate its legacy.”

New museum building with final construction work being completed. Preservation in 2025: Year's highlights cover wide spectrum of projects. — The new 21,000-square-foot Fox River Expansion receives its final detail work in the weeks before it was opened on Sept. 20, 2025. National Railroad Museum

No. 8 — National Railroad Museum opens Fox River Expansion

The museum in Green Bay, Wis., cut the ribbon in September, opening its new 21,000-square-foot exhibit facility. It is the museum’s first major expansion in more than 15 years and it adds much needed exhibit space. The new building opens to the adjacent Fox River, creating a natural event venue.

No. 7 — B&O Railroad Museum begins car shop renovations

Preparing for the 200th anniversary of American railroading in 2027, the B&O Museum in Baltimore has begun work on a $38 million renovation project. The South Car Works, which operated from 1869 to 1990, will be refurbished as an exhibit hall, archives, and educational facility. It will also become the museum entrance. Outside the grounds will be reformed to include the CSX Bicentennial Garden. The project “is transformative for us,” Kris Hoellen, museum executive director, said. “And it’s transformative for Southwest Baltimore.”

No. 6 — Roundhouses — three new ones under construction

The Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum (Sugarcreek, Ohio), the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (Strasburg, Pa.), and Railroad Heritage of Midwest America (Silvis, Ill.) all broke ground and are constructing new roundhouses.

The Age of Steam East Roundhouse will have 10, 112-foot stalls. Unlike its original timber-frame roundhouse, the new building will have a steel frame with brick exterior.

Pennsylvania Railroad No. 3750, one of two remaining K4s 4-6-2s, will find a home inside the new six-stall roundhouse at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. The museum plans to fill the other stalls with locomotives that also have been previously exhibited outside.

The six-stall roundhouse Railroad Heritage of Midwest America is constructing will become home to former Union Pacific Challenger No. 3985. The new roundhouse and 135-foot CB&Q Cicero, Ill., turntable are being built on the same location as the 1903 Rock Island roundhouse.

Two black steam locomotives pulling a train. Preservation in 2025: Year's highlights cover wide spectrum of projects. — Denver & Rio Grande Western K-36 locomotives Nos. 484 and 489 lead a Cumbres & Toltec excursion in October 2018. The C&TS celebrated the centennial of the locomotives in August. David Lassen

No. 5 — Denver & Rio Grande Western K-36 locomotive mark 100 years

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Baldwin-built K-36 2-8-2s. Nine of the 10 built still exist, five are at C&TSR, and four operate regularly on the railroad’s route between Chama, N.M., and Antonito, Colo.

No. 4 — New Jersey Merci Train 40&8 boxcar found

The French boxcar presented to New Jersey as part of the 1949 Merci or Gratitude Train was discovered in a Kansas City warehouse. The boxcar, thought to be lost forever, had found its way into the collection of the World War I Museum and Memorial. The car has been returned to New Jersey for restoration at the United Railroad Historical Society at Boonton, N.J.

No. 3 — Alaska Railroad gold spike heads home

On July 15, 1923, the Alaska Railroad was completed when President Warren G. Harding drove a gold spike near Nenana, Alaska. The City of Nenana and the Anchorage Museum partnered to purchase the spike and return it to the state when it came up for auction earlier this year.

Steam locomotive outside shop on a foggy day for a test firing. — Alaska Railroad No. 557 is moved outside its shop for test firing, the first time under steam in 60 years. Shane Durand, 557 Preservation Co.

No. 1 (tie) — Two historic steam locomotives fired up after decades of work

Alaska Railroad No. 557, the last steam locomotive from this railroad, was successfully test fired on Nov. 8. The 557 Restoration Co. has been working on the 2-8-0 for 13 years. Plans call for No. 557 to run in 2026.

Chicago & North Western No. 1385, a 1907 Alco 4-6-0, passed its initial firing on Dec. 4. The Mid-Continent Railway Museum of North Freedom, Wis., plans to have the locomotive operational by July 4, 2026.

— To report news or errors, contact trainsnewswire@firecrown.com.